In my last post, I talked about the advantages and disadvantages of continuing to use swamp coolers in your properties. In fact, business is booming for many HVAC companies touting the advantages of converting evaporative cooling systems to conventional air conditioning systems.
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News
A Maryland landlord was ordered to pay a former tenant $800,000 after she filed a lawsuit claiming the landlord neglected to address a bed...
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A single engine Cessna crashed into the living room of a third-story apartment outside Washington, Virginia State Police said Friday. Police spokeswoman Corinne...
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A NYC judge ruled that a New Yorker who rented his apartment on Airbnb.com, a site that lets people around the world find short-term...
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I never heard of swamp coolers until I moved to Las Vegas, NV. As I was touring my friend’s new home, he explained that instead of air conditioning, his home was cooled by a swamp cooler. If you currently manage properties in the West or Southwest regions of the U.S., chances are you’re familiar with these evaporative cooling systems that are typically referred to as swamp coolers.
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According to the National Association of Realtors, 5 to 6 million new renter households will be created within the next 10 years. In this infographic, we take a look at why most renters are opting not to buy a home and why it’s currently a renter’s market.
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The Challenges Of Home Ownership Make Renting Very Attractive
Posted on 05. Jun, 2013 by Marc Courtenay.
Those of us who bought our homes towards the top of the last housing bubble (2003-2007) are relieved to hear that the average price for houses is climbing steadily in most regions of the U.S. Yet for many the cost of buying a house is still making it difficult or impossible to become homeowners. Even though interest rates are still at all-time lows, it’s still tough to qualify for a mortgage.
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Isn’t summer everyone’s favorite time of year? As the song tells us, it’s when the living is easy, and many people are out enjoying the long days, the warm weather and activities that just aren’t possible during the fall and winter months. For property managers, there can be one drawback to that bright summer sunshine.
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Having The Courage Of Your Convictions As A Property Manager
Posted on 29. May, 2013 by Marc Courtenay.
We just finished celebrating Memorial Day. It’s helpful for me to remember that’s the day when Americans honors men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. I want to pay my deepest respect to their memory and to their loved ones. Originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official, very significant federal holiday in 1971.
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As we all know it won’t be long until school is out and summer arrives. That is traditionally the beginning of the time that owners and renters are more likely to move to new locations. It’s also the time when the vacancy rate can fluctuate and the turnover rate increases.
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Now that’s a title that should make all property managers very curious. Actually it’s the title of a webinar that was offered on Thursday May 9, 2013 and can be listened to at this link. These free webinars and podcasts should be a regular part of a property managers’ month.
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Facebook Graph Search: A Great Opportunity For Property Managers (eBook)
Posted on 20. May, 2013 by Bryan Ives.
Facebook recently released an exciting new feature called Graph Search. The social search feature makes it easier for your property Facebook page to be discovered by people who want to learn more about your property management business.
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If you’re just starting your own property management business, it’s important to identify what you bring to the table. Is it your expert customer service? Affordable fees? Years of property management experience? Whether you’re planning on managing multi-family units, rental homes, or commercial properties, the skills and experience you can identify and later offer potential customers plays a large part in building and retaining your customer base.
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Keys To A Successful Website: A Checklist For Property Managers (eBook)
Posted on 13. May, 2013 by Bryan Ives.
One of the primary tools many property managers use to deliver information to current and future residents is their website. In this complimentary eBook, we share over 30 important criteria for your website that will help you create a professional, efficient and profitable marketing tool for your business.
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When Screening Applicants Remember The Fair Credit Reporting Act
Posted on 10. May, 2013 by Marc Courtenay.
Property Managers know how important it is to prevent problems with residents through careful screening procedures. The old saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is as important in today’s society as ever. That’s why experienced property managers don’t cut corners when screening applicants.
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How To Cultivate New Clients In “The Garden Of Property Management”
Posted on 09. May, 2013 by Marc Courtenay.
Seldom has there been a better time to cultivate and “plant the seeds” for new clients for your property management business. The need for rental, single-family housing has never been greater, and the financial climate is most advantageous, so let’s get started!
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Five Steps To A Successful Property Management Blog (eBook)
Posted on 08. May, 2013 by Bryan Ives.
A recent study revealed that business blogging leads to 55% more visitors to your website. In this complimentary eBook, we worked with a blogging expert to provide you with five easy steps that lead to an effective blogging strategy for your property management business.
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The general rule in California is that each party bears its own attorney’s fees. There are exceptions to this general rule. One exception exists when a contract contains an attorney’s fee clause. If a contract provides that the prevailing party will recover its attorney’s fees and costs, generally that provision is enforceable, assuming that the matter is litigated to judgment.
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Despite the warnings that are prevalent around the country, potential renters, property owners and managers continue to be scammed by Craigslist. These scams have evolved as the criminals have become more devious. Today, both renters and property managers are the frequent victims of these scams.
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Property Management Benchmark Survey Partnership With Software Advice
Posted on 30. Apr, 2013 by Bryan Ives.
AppFolio has partnered with Austin-based Software Advice to sponsor a property management benchmark survey. The purpose of the survey is to identify common property management challenges and find out what additional things property management professionals are seeking in products.
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For the longest time, property developers have had a “the sky’s the limit” mentality when it comes to building new rental properties to keep up with America’s rapidly increasing population. That mindset is beginning to change now with the emergence of micro-apartments.
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Spring is finally here. If you’re in a cold climate, it’s likely you haven’t spent much time outside. But once the snow melts and the ground is visible again, you’ll likely spot some areas that have become weathered from the elements. With the last freeze likely over, now is the time to get outside and take a good long look at your properties.
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Rising Rents Are Hot But Facts Show They’re Cooling Down
Posted on 19. Apr, 2013 by Marc Courtenay.
Single family housing rents rose once again in the first quarter of 2013. Yet signs are beginning to reveal themselves that the seemingly endless months of rising rents may be coming to an end. The reasons are numerous but the biggest is a marked increase in the supply of rental units.
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For years now, restaurants and other service providers have used Yelp as their local review site. They’ve learned how to not just take the good reviews with the bad reviews, but also figure out how to manage those bad reviews so that people will still trust them and try them out.
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Housing Rebound Continues Unabated With New Home Sales Soaring
Posted on 05. Apr, 2013 by Marc Courtenay.
Believe it or not the housing industry is making a stellar comeback. After a collapse in residential construction during The Great Recession which began in 2008, new home construction is leading the housing recovery. The Commerce Department reported on March 19, 2013 that housing starts rose in February to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 917,000.
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Yes, I heard your collective sigh of frustration when you read that title. Yes, I know that every day seems to bring another form of Internet marketing that you just “have to” be using. But trust me when I say that this one is different. Who hasn’t heard of Google by now? Probably even people living under rocks have used Google to find out exactly what type of rock that is overhead.
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According to the State of the American Neighborhood survey by Nextdoor, a third of Americans don’t know their neighbors by name. Does knowing your neighbors create a safer home environment?
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Sometimes the owners of rental properties are too trusting for their own good. You, as the property manager, undoubtedly know what I’m referring to. But that’s why the owner hires you to begin with. They don’t want to have to deal directly with the resident-tenant, right? For this article I wanted to share a true story that demonstrates why it’s imperative to protect your clients from situations where the resident says something like, “We don’t need it in writing. I have great references and my word is as good as any document.”
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Technology Trends: What Residents Want (eBook)
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Always Get It In Writing And In The Lease
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Avoiding Craigslist Scams
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How To Cultivate New Clients In “The Garden Of Property Management”
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NARPM Florida State Chapter Property Manager Conference 2012
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Marc Courtenay: Thanks for your comment. Please consider sharing t...
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Ryan @ Green Bay Commercial Real Estate: At least in our market (Green Bay) it seems to be ...
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Tammy Davis: Great Advice!...
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Sandy: I have strong doubts that this was a professional ...
